A Thai vacation is the ultimate way to tie a bow around the holidays. With Thailand being back open for fun, sun and relaxation once more, there are plenty of reasons to wind down by making your holidays heat up in this beautiful, natural country. Famed for its beaches, palaces and welcoming atmosphere, Thailand is fully encompassed in the tropics to deliver diverse ecosystems that will leave you breathless.

Here are our five favorite reasons to visit Thailand right now!

Reason #1: The Temples

Thailand has more than 40,000 temples. While some are ethereal ruins, others are active temples. These serene spots often feature larger-than-life statues and structures. Wherever you’re staying in Thailand, stunning temples are likely to be nearby. Check out the world-famous Big Buddha of Phuket and Thailand’s other must-see temples like Wat Chalong, Wat Khao Rang, Wat Phra Thong and more.

Reason #2: The Silk Markets

Something that most people don’t know until they visit Thailand is that this tropical paradise is home to some of the best silk in the world. The Ban Tha Sawang Silk Weaving Village is a must-visit spot close to the beautiful town of Surin where you can explore and find unique gifts to bring home. This tourist-friendly attraction allows guests to watch how high-quality silk products are made by hand by skilled artists.

Reason #3: The Elephants

Elephants are considered sacred in Thailand! Tourists immediately notice that elephant statues, artwork and symbols are displayed everywhere. Thai culture celebrates the elephant as the symbol of good fortune, and there are opportunities to visit elephant sanctuaries for visitors seeking to have close-up views at these gorgeous creatures in person, too.

A new focus sweeping through Thailand is on ethical elephant sanctuaries that provide an educational and more hands-off experience for tourists. Thanks to these efforts, visitors can now interact with elephants in ways that are much kinder. These places rescue and rehabilitate elephants that have been retired from the logging and tourism industries. At Outrigger, we completely support these efforts both in Phuket and Koh Samui through our GHA Discovery experiences. We encourage you to visit one of these sanctuaries and watch elephants as they happily wander around and socialize.

Reason #4: The Mango Sticky Rice

Yes, everyone who comes to Thailand falls in love with mango sticky rice. Considered the official dessert of Thailand by many, this delectable treat is found in nearly every restaurant. Made using rice blended with fresh mango and coconut milk, this traditional dessert of Southeast Asia can be eaten with both hands and spoons.

Reason #5: The Snorkeling

There’s nothing in the world like snorkeling in Thailand! Stay and play near Khao Lak in southern Thailand for easy excursions to the Similan Islands. Most snorkelers spot dolphins and sea turtles as they tour the waters surrounding the islands. Any snorkelers who aren’t lucky enough to catch candid glimpses of some beautiful turtles can make up the difference with a visit to the Royal Thai Navy Third Fleet Turtle Nursery in Khao Lak. Featuring turtles from infancy to adulthood, this sanctuary provides education and “turtle encounters” with an emphasis on preparing turtles for release into the wild. Or, find a secluded beach in Phuket.

This Expert Hub article is produced in association with Outrigger Hotels & Resorts.  Travelers seeking the natural beauty of exotic Thailand now have three more reasons to visit this jewel of the tropics at three world-class resort properties in Thailand: Outrigger Koh Samui Beach Resort, Outrigger Khao Lak Beach Resort and Outrigger Surin Beach Resort.